VA Retention and Bonuses

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I'm currently a nurse at the VA in St. Louis and have been here for over 8 years. I have loved working here but lately the morale has been awful due to burn out from being overworked and chronically short staffed. I'm afraid a mass exodus is coming because most nurses are wanting to get away from the bedside.  Our manager is aware that most staff are unhappy and looking elsewhere, however they are resistant to offer any sort of incentive to stay. I know the VA has the ability to offer retention bonuses and different incentives(steps and/or cash award) and was curious if any other VA's have offered anything like this. I know money doesn't solve all problems but it may entice some to stay at the bedside and helps staff feel appreciated. Just curious. Thanks for any help.

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Specializes in Nurse and Nurse Practitioner consultant.

So nice of you to be concerned about your co- workers but I think a deeper question to ask yourself is Are your happy?

 

-Syceria

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Specializes in Fall prevention.

So the VA in VISN 17 is offering a 15% retention for certain hard to fill positions as long as you have not received a VA scholarship such as VAAHEEP( might be off on the letters). It’s mostly for the CLC or inpatient.  

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Thanks. I’ve actually reached out to 3-4 nurses that I know that work in other VISNs and they all said their mangers are offering some sort of retention incentives. I wish ours would to combat us hemorrhaging staff. 

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Specializes in BSN, RN CEN.

We are currently receiving a 45% x 8 pay period retention bonus with a 2-year commitment contract. We have to stay in an eligible position, my friends in PACT/OR/CCU are also receiving the same amount. So, save to say, any nursing position that is actually touching a patient gets this bonus. We also received a 10% retention incentive over 10 or 13 pay periods. HOWEVER, this has been very inconsistent. Many nurses are still waiting for the bonuses, signed paperwork but never received the money. The same goes for COVID hazard pay which was supposed to be a total of $8k. Nobody in my department received the full amount. Some only received half, other received none. It is crazy how slow things work in the VA. 

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